Properties of caprylic acid

In purified form it is a colorless oily liquid very slightly soluble in water, with melting point at 16.7 °C (62.06 °F; 289.85 K) and boiling point at 239.7 °C (463.46 °F; 512.85 K) at 760 mmHg.

Other names of caprylic acid

octylic acid

n-caprylic acid

octoic acid

n-octanoic acid

n-octylic acid

enantic acid

octic acid

n-octoic acid

1-heptanecarboxylic acid

8:0

Sources of caprylic acid

It occurs as glycerol ester in animal fats like those present in butter and milk (in the latter from 1 to 4% of the fats) and in coconut and palm oil (6 to 8%).
It has a slightly unpleasant rancid taste in the free form.